These practice sessions are open to all with the transmission of the particular practice scheduled. The schedule and type of practice may vary periodically, so please check your recent newsletter (or FGS calendar) for the most current information. Suggested dana for this session is $10 - 12. Alternatively, please give within your means.

Our meditation group focuses on two meditation practices as taught by Lama Tsultrim. Beginning students are welcome.

The first is the Prajna Paramita practice that teaches us to turn our out-going energy back inward, recognize the ground of being, return home and rest non-conceptually. Prajna Paramita is the Great Mother; she is luminous clarity that is full of compassion. She is a deity, a symbol, and a sutra. Above all, she is the teaching that guides us to the experience of prajna, or transcendent wisdom. Lama Tsultrim has condensed her 40 years of Vajrayana practice into a simple and complete Sadhana for cultivating the ultimate state of realization. This practice is accessible and straightforward, having each component leading naturally towards effortless resting in the Nature of Mind. Prajna Paramita is a core practice within the Tara Mandala Northern Sierra Sangha.

The second practice, Feeding Your Demons, is based on the Chod, a Tibetan Buddhist practice discovered by the eleventh-century yogini, Machig Labdron. This approach to life's difficulties, both inner and outer, is based on compassion rather than fear, on engagement rather than attack. These complimentary practices, Feeding Your Demons and Prajna Paramita, are skillful means to address our relative world and to discover our true condition.

The suggested dana for this class is $10 - 12. Alternatively, please give within your means.

This twelve week examination of the research papers on Chöd and Machig Lapdröns lineage completed by Lama Tsultrim's authorized teachers will provide a deepening understanding of the foundations of Chöd created by our studies and practice thus far.

Our sessions will begin with a Chöd Practice and will be followed by an in- depth discussion of one of the research papers written by Lama Tsultrim's Authorized Teachers. We will allow two weeks of discussion per paper.

The series will run from Wednesday, September 13 through Wednesday, December 13th. Please join us for the entire series in person or online for this remarkable opportunity. Drop ins are welcome! Suggested dana for each session: $12 - 15; or $120 - 150 for the entire series. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. To register and receive the class link, please see instructions below.

This study will be held at For Goodness Sake in Truckee, CA for all who are able to attend in person. We meet online via Zoom for all those joining remotely. Remote access link will be provided upon completion of registration. Please indicate whether you are signing up for the entire series or whether you will be dropping in.

Come experience and learn about an ancient Tibetan Buddhist practice whose wisdom is particularly relevant for our modern society. Chöd, a Tibetan word that literally means “to cut”, offers a concrete method for the healing of addictions, traumas, and other “demons” in both our inner and outer worlds. The practice is based on turning towards those experiences that we would rather avoid with the understanding that healing comes from ending the internal fight with our “demons” by cutting through fear, fixation, and self-clinging.

This centuries-old practice is sung in Tibetan by the chodpa(s) while recipients relax on the floor. The practice is accompanied by the use of a traditional chöd drum that symbolizes the masculine and bell that represents feminine wisdom. Chodpas were traditionally called in when there were epidemics of infectious diseases and practiced in frightening places in order to transcend fear.

CALL TO PRACTICE FROM LAMA TSULTRIMWe join Lama Tsultrim's Call to Practice for addressing Climate Change.
As a Sangha, we will accumulate the mantra of 12th Tara Noble Lady Tara Tashi Donje according
to
Lama Tsultrim's instructions, and record them for the global accumulation that is happening at this time.
No transmission is required! Click here to see the mantra.

We would love to have you join your energies with ours as well as the global Sangha for this most important issue. Please post your mantra count on Lama Tsultrim Allione's public figure Facebook pageor send them to us for submission.

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About Polly

Polly Ryan, MA has been a devoted student of Lama Tsultrim Allione since 1991. Under the tutelage of B. Alan Wallace, she has also studied Shamatha, The Four Applications of Mindfulness, Seven Point Mind Training, The Four Immeasurables, Dzogchen, and other practices for over two decades. She has received teachings from many other Tibetan teachers including Kalachakra and Dzogchen teachings from H.H. the Dalai Lama in the late 1980's. Having met the educational and practice requirements of Lama Tsultrim’s Kapala Training in 2008, Polly is now certified as a Feeding Your Demons™ Therapist and utilizes this process as a vital and transformative therapeutic life tool to assist clients in feeding rather than fighting their inner blocks to healing, growth and transformation. Polly has practiced psychotherapy for over 25 years in Truckee, CA; and Reno, NV. She leads the Tara Mandala Northern Sierra Sangha at For Goodness Sake in downtown Truckee.

For the benefit of our practitioner who has environmental sensitivities, please come to classes free of perfume and essential oils, products with fragrance (whenever possible) and avoid using fabric softener, Febreeze or similar products if at all possible. Thanks!

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* A few words about "Dana"

Historically, the teachings of the Buddha have been offered freely so that all can benefit equally. Dana is the Pali word for generosity and refers here to our personal offerings in support of the spiritual teachings. The teacher donates time in service of the Dharma and receives only what the students’ offer. By supporting the teachings,
the teacher and the place where the teachings are held, we accrue great positive merit on our mind-stream and
as well as a positive karmic connection to the Dharma. Suggested Dana is $12-15 for the 9 - 10:30am session and $10 - 12 for the Special and Open Practice Sessions. Dana is divided equally between FGS, a scholarship fund to send a student to retreat at Tara Mandala, and the teacher. These suggested amounts are only to give you an
idea of what a traditional donation might be and there is no required or minimum amount of Dana expected. Remember the precious teachings are priceless and the offering of Dana is an opportunity to practice the paramita of generosity. What is important is that you give generously in a heartfelt way and dedicate the merit to your own spiritual progression toward enlightenment and to genuine happiness and relief from suffering for all beings.